LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI

Private Henry Godwin
1st/5th Bn Bedfordshire Regiment

Town Memorial P3.R3.C2

Taken, Not Given, Liam Sumption, L&DLHS

Pte
Henry Godwin
5th Bedfordshire Regt
Palestine
Dec 1 1917

The death of Henry Godwin in Palestine is recorded in the Parish magazine issue of January 1918.

Also mentioned in this issue is the death from wounds in December 1917 of Private Lyall Neale of the 5th Queens, but his name does not appear on the memorial. (1)

The regimental records of the Bedfordshires give the following details about Henry Godwin. He was born in Leatherhead, but enlisted at Swathling, Hampshire (Leatherhead) [sic]. He served as a Private No.36863 in the 5th Bn. Bedfordshires, and was “killed in action“ on 1st December 1917, as stated. He had previously served in the Army Service Corps (No. RX/4/262526). (2)

On 1st December 1917 the 5th Bn. Bedfordshires were entrenched on Pinnacle, Napala and Zeiffy hills, and were that day relieved by the 1st/4th Norfolk’s and the 1st/8th Hampshires.

The War Diary (3) describes it as “a quiet day".

However, on 29th November, the Turks had made 150 attempts "to carry Zeiffy hill by surprise", and the next day (30th) 50 Turks tried to bomb their way into the British positions on Nabala Hill at 4.45 a.m.  One officer was reported as seriously wounded in the affair of the 30th, but no reference is made to losses sustained by Other Ranks.

Notes on sources
1. Parish magazine of St Mary and St Nicholas, Leatherhead, issue of January 1918.
2. Soldiers who Died in the Great War (Bedfordshires) - Imperial War Museum Lambeth.
3. File W0 95–4653 War Diary, 5th Bn. The Bedfordshire Regiment - Public Record Office, Richmond, Kew.

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Further research

Private
GODWIN, HENRY
Service Number 36863
Died 1/12/1917
Aged 32
1st/5th Bn.
Bedfordshire Regiment
Son of Jabez Alfred and Mary Godwin; husband of Rhoda Godwin, of 3, Oak Rd., Leatherhead, Surrey. Native of Leatherhead.
Buried at RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY
Location: Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Cemetery/memorial reference: C. 9.

Leatherhead Parish Magazine
February 1918

FOR KING AND COUNTRY.

The following have given their lives for the cause :—
...
Pte. Harry Godwin, 1/5th Bedford Regt., killed in action in Palestine, Dec. 1st, 1917.

Pte. Lyall ML Neale, 5th Bn., Royal Queen’s West Surrey Regt, died of wounds in Palestine, Dec. 21st, 1917.

His Life

Henry Godwin was born on 9 July 1885 and was baptised at Leatherhead Parish Church on 27 September 1885.

His father was Alfred Jaybez Godwin (1849-1909), a Wattle Maker from Cranleigh, Surrey, a son of Alfred Godwin (1799-1854) and Amelia Knight (1810-1900).

His mother was Mary Jane Godwin née Chilman (1850-1913) from Leatherhead, a daughter of Charles Chilman (1810-1851), a Road Labourer, and Jane Taylor (1819-1882).

In the 1871 Census his father Alfred was boarding with his uncle Albert and Eliza Godwin at Woodbridge, Kingston Road, Leatherhead. In the next household on the page was Mary J(ane) Chilman. Alfred and Mary had a son - Alfred William - in 1871 and were married on 30 September 1871 at St Paul's, Hook, Surrey.

Henry Godwin's siblings were Alfred William b 1871, Mary Jane b 1874, Thomas Charles b 1876, Emma Mercy b 1877, Lois b 1879, Albert b 1880, Leonard b 1881, Annie b 1883, Louise b 1887, Amy b 1888, Edith Emily b 1890, George b 1893, Edward John b 1896 and Alice b 1898.

Henry grew up in the Kingston Road, Leatherhead. In the 1901 Census the Godwin family were in a cottage in Kingston Road, Leatherhead (between Park Villa and Cottage Workshop next to Sunnyside Villas).

Henry married Rhoda Godwin née Burroughs in 1911, registered Q1 1911 at Fulham, London. He was a House Painter.
Rhoda Burroughs was born on 24 or 26 August 1887 in Westhampnett, Sussex and baptised at St John's, Bognor, Sussex on 18 November 1890. She was a daughter of Rhoda Ellen Burroughs, a Laundress. Her father is at present unknown.

Henry and Rhoda had three children, Frederick Robert, Winifred Louisa and Doris E. In the 1911 Census, which took place after they were married Herbert Henry Burroughs aged 6 months was living with them at 8 Pretoria Cottages, Kingston Road, Leatherhead.

At the time of arranging Henry's headstone inscription his widow Rhoda was living at 3 Oak Road, Leatherhead, Surrey.

Henry's brother Albert Godwin had emigrated to Canada. He died on 16 September 1916 serving with 24 Bn Canadian Infantry.

After WW1

Henry's widow Rhoda continued living at 3 Oak Road, Leatherhead. In the 1939 England & Wales Register she was described as living on private means. She died on 13 January 1968 in Seend, Melksham, Wiltshire (probate) or in Surrey Mid Eastern District, registered July 1966.

Henry Godwin is remembered on these memorials
Leatherhead Town Memorial
Leatherhead RBL Roll of Honour, Leatherhead Parish Church
Ladies War Shrine, Leatherhead Parish Church
Church Lads Brigade Memorial Tryptich, All Saints Leatherhead
Surrey in the Great War

the website editor would like to add further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of him, and of any recollections within his family

last updated 8 Sep 20